Withrow Taking On Bigger Role

When Daniel Withrow signed as the Crew’s third goalkeeper, the second-round supplemental draft pick knew what would be expected of him.

“It’s just like being a freshman in college,” he said. “You’re going to have to take more of the reps. You’re going to have to do more of the hard stuff. You’re going to have to carry all the equipment. You’re going to have to do all that stuff.”

But now, after spending most of his rookie season in the shadows of starter Andy Gruenebaum and backup Matt Lampson, Withrow finds himself one more injury from making his professional debut. With Gruenebaum battling left shoulder weakness and unsure of his return date, Lampson has assumed the team’s starting duties for the last two weeks and will again do so Saturday against Toronto FC.

That means Withrow will again be on the bench as a member of the team’s game-day roster. Despite the changes, Withrow said his weekly approach has not changed.

“I’m definitely more involved, but I don’t come into (the week) thinking I have to do things this way or this way,” he said. “I definitely have tried to come out here and just be 100 percent whether I’m training for 10 minutes or the full hour I have to bring the level I’m able to bring. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Withrow won the job over Cleveland State product Brad Stuver, who had been drafted by Montreal but not signed. Stuver continues to train with the Crew, however, as an MLS pool goalkeeper. Withrow made his Crew debut in the team’s friendly against Wigan on July 13 and allowed one goal in 40 minutes of action.

“This is some kind of experience for him,” the coach said. “He’s here on the bench and he’s preparing for games and he can go in at any time. I think that’s good experience for him. That’s at least a start.

“I think he has good hands and a good frame. He’s technical. The game is different. You feel a little different when you step between the posts and I think we have to see him more.”

For now, Withrow said he has been working to get used to the increased pace of the game.

“When I first got here I was all panicked, like, ‘I’ve got the ball, crap, I don’t want to make a mistake,’ ” he said. “I’ve definitely calmed down. I see the speed of the game and I’m able to read it, when to speed up and when to play. This is a lot different from college. In college I was asked to get the ball and just get it forward. That’s just the way college soccer is played for most teams. This time, the guys are obviously the highest level here so they are able to play more and I’m able to play more with my feet and be comfortable on the ball.”

And when Gruenebaum returns to the lineup and Withrow is shuffled further down the depth chart, the rookie said he is prepared.

“The bottom line is it’s a very long season and we’ve got to save guys like this,” he said. “Andy’s a very important guy and so is Matt. It’s a 10-month season. You’ve got to preserve guys. They’re not going to be able to go 110 percent all the time. If there’s a finishing drill where you’re going to be taking six shots rapid-fire, that’s what I’m going to have to do. If I’m the most-tired guy on the field after practice, that’s not a bad thing.”